CARE FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL - THE FUTURE-ROLE OF HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR PATIENTS

In future decades the number of chronically ill will increase drastica lly. A function-orientated approach, substitution and transmural care would seem to be the key objectives for the necessary improvement in c are. There will be significant changes in the task division of care pr ovided by specialists, general practitioners and paramedics. At the sa me time, patients will be able to increase their own potential for sel f-care. Who will play which role in future will have to be considered against the background of the various phases in the course of a chroni c disease. In the initial stages, in particular, there will be ample o pportunity to involve patients more in their own care. This will have a positive influence on learning to live with a chronic disease, depen dence on medical help and the course of the disease itself. Transdisci plinary collaboration, that means interactive collaboration with the n ecessary mutual knowledge and understanding of the working methods, sh ould form the basis of the care in all phases of a chronic disease. Di fferent carers are involved in each phase of care for the chronically ill, but since the general practitioner is involved in all phases, it is obvious that the necessary organization of collaboration between th e various carers (including the patient) should be coordinated by the general practitioner. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.